Favoured Friends
Part 39/51

Summary: An invitation to the National Egyptology Conference quickly becomes deadly race for the mythic Ichriem against an old rival of Sydney's - the assassin known only as 'the Viper'.

Note: This is a round robin originally posted at the Relic Hunter Yahoo Group. Although I'm posting it, I did not write the entire thing. This part was written by Gayle ( thegrandgfc@yahoo.com )

Also, I have Support Services. That means that, if you want, you can put me on Author Alert and receive notice when other stories of mine are posted, even if you haven't paid yourself.

Posted: Sunday, August 17, 2003

They filed off the plane, giving half-hearted attempts at being casual as Davis Campbell led the way out of the tiny airport.

Nigel was walking next to Sydney, slightly frightened because she had been completely silent since Campbell had threatened to kill the lot of them. He could only think of two times when Sydney had been so quiet. Both times she'd been knocked out. "Sydney, say something."

"I'm going to skin him from the inside out and find a way so he's alive the whole time."

"Not quite what I was going for, but I'll know to specify next time."

Sydney blinked a few times before Nigel's words fully penetrated her thoughts. She smiled just barely at the dryness in his tone. "Sorry, but I can't come up with words of encouragement right now."

"Not looking for any. I'm searching out whether you have a plan."

"My first offer still stands."

Nigel grinned, glad beyond measure to see the glint of determination in Sydney's eyes. "We'll call that Plan B. What's Plan A?"

"I have a suggestion." The Viper's voice made the hairs on the backs of their necks stand up. "If you'll listen."

"I'm not quite sure how any plan you have is going to help us."

"You won't be at the mercy of a cold-blooded killer."

Nigel snorted. "And what are you?"

"Just a guy trying to make a living."

"Sell patio furniture." Sydney glared at the Viper. He just stared back until she clenched her jaw. "What's your plan?"

"Syd!"

Nigel's tone and near-shout caused Davis Campbell to stop and turn around. "Is there a problem back there?" The flash of bloodlust in his eyes made it obvious he was hoping for one.

"Nothing. Nigel just misheard me."

"He 'mishears' you again, I'm cutting off his ear." Cambell gave a wolfish smile to the group. "And then I'll cut off everyone else's for trophies." He turned back around and kept walking.

Sydney kept her voice to a whisper. "What's your plan?"

"Sydney, have you lost it?" Nigel stared at her in disbelief. "He kidnapped me. He nearly killed Lloyd, and you want to make a deal with him?!"

"If it was just you and I in this, I'd say no. I'd let it play out, but I'm not going to risk Lloyd, Claudia, and your brother on the off-chance I can save all of us. If we try anything when there's no plan, someone will die, Nigel. My options are very limited."

"No kidding." Nigel glared at the Viper for a second, then he looked at Sydney. She was waiting for him to okay it, because if she was going to risk her neck, Nigel would be right by her. Sydney wanted his help from the start. Finally, muttering he had to be a complete idiot, Nigel looked at the Viper.

"What's the plan?"

End Part Thirty-Nine